Justice News

Former Wells Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison on Child Sex Abuse Charges

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that United States District Judge George Z. Singal today sentenced William Gaudet, 52, formerly of Wells, Maine, to serve life in federal prison for transporting a minor interstate intending to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Gaudet was convicted on November 16, 2017, following a four-day jury trial.

According to court records and trial evidence, on two occasions during the summer of 2010, Gaudet traveled between Maine and Pennsylvania with an eight-year-old child intending to engage in sexual activity with her. On both occasions, he sexually assaulted the child. The investigation began in 2014 after the child reported the abuse. In 2012, Gaudet was convicted in New Hampshire Superior Court for sexually assaulting another minor in 2001 and 2005.

Judge Singal ordered that the life sentence run consecutive to the sentence in the New Hampshire case. Under federal law, Gaudet will not be eligible for parole. In imposing the sentence, Judge Singal stated: “The degree of cruelty displayed here is virtually beyond belief... I cannot imagine a more serious offense.”

The investigation was conducted by the Biddeford, Gorham, Kennebunk, Wells, Wakefield (New Hampshire) and Pocono Township (Pennsylvania) Police Departments; the New Hampshire Correctional Facility; the Carroll County (New Hampshire) Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.